How to combine different types of data

**Launchnet** · 11-21-2009, 10:22 PM

I have the following 5 cells with different types of data in each cell.

EX: 21509.....CA.....0615pm.....mg.....2348

What I need, if possible, is to automatically have all of the data in these cells combined into one cell as follows: 21509CA0615pmmg2348

If any of the 5 cells are changed, the combined cell is also changed.

**martindwilson** · 11-21-2009, 10:27 PM

=a1&b1&c1&d1&e1
if thats a real time you'll need
=a1&b1&TEXT(c1,"h:mm AM/PM")&d1&e1

**Launchnet** · 11-21-2009, 10:57 PM

The time is not real time.

I tried and typed the formula into a separate cell.

All I see displayed is the formula

All cells are formatted as text.

I also tried =a1+b1+c1+d1+e1 and that doesn't work either.

**martindwilson** · 11-21-2009, 11:04 PM

you must have the cell with the formula formatted general first
both examples shown

**Launchnet** · 11-21-2009, 11:09 PM

I set the result cell to General Formatting

This is the formula that I have in cell B25 =b12&b13&b14&b15&b16

Only the formula shows

**martindwilson** · 11-21-2009, 11:10 PM

see my last post attached workbook
do any formulas work eg try in b25 =b12 on its own
and try clicking the = sign next to the formula bar then click ok
it wont like it if its text when you enter the formula and change the format after to general
its also possible that show formulas is turned on
tools/options/view uncheck formulas

**Launchnet** · 11-22-2009, 12:00 AM

No formulas work except for =a1 . . . As soon as I add the next cell's address it displays only the formula =a1&b1

Left of my formula bar it shows fx . . . No = sign

I also tried in new cell and it still doesn't work

I finally cleared "ALL" from cell B25. Checked the format and it was general.
Then I typed in the entire formula. It worked.

But, you can not change the formula, as then it won't work again. I don't need to change the formula, SO IT WORKS OK.

Good Follow Thru

I'll mark the thread solved.